A dramatic night of racing highlighted the 10th Annual Dave Kamp Memorial at Big Diamond Speedway on Friday, as Ryan Graver stormed from 12th starting position to capture the USS Achey Inc. 602 Crate Sportsman feature, while Chuck Fayash, Kris Ney, Mason Harakel, and Jeremy Ott also celebrated victories in their respective divisions.
The annual event featured bonus money for competitors in the 602 Crate Sportsman and Red White and Blue Autos Inc. Roadrunner divisions through the efforts of racer John Deatrich and a group of supporting sponsors.
Race information submitted by Dino Oberto
Graver Rallies to Fourth Sportsman Victory
Lehighton's Ryan Graver once again showcased his ability to work the high side of the speedway, slicing through the field after starting 12th.
By lap eight, Graver had already worked his way into the top five and continued his charge following a restart. He climbed to third, then moved into second with nine laps remaining as he began chasing leader Reice Widger.
Widger had taken control from early race leader Tyler Vidal at the halfway point and appeared headed toward victory until disaster struck. As he exited Turn 4 to complete lap 12, Widger spun, surrendering the lead.
Graver inherited the top spot and drove away over the closing laps to earn his fourth Sportsman victory in 14 starts this season.
Matt Martino turned in one of his strongest performances of the year, finishing a season-best second after briefly challenging Graver late in the race. Kevin Fitzpatrick completed the podium ahead of Craig Whitmoyer and Ed Mrochko, who recorded one of his best finishes of the season after running as high as second.
Roadrunners Split by Fayash and Ney
The Roadrunner division featured twin 12-lap features, each producing exciting finishes.
In the opener, Schuylkill Township's Chuck Fayash battled point leader Alex Schoffstall side-by-side before completing the winning pass with six laps remaining. Fayash held on for his second victory in the last three races, marking his 14th Roadrunner win and 15th career triumph overall. The victory also came exactly 11 years after his first career win.
Joey Brennan finished third.
The second feature delivered one of the night's most thrilling battles as Gordon's Kris Ney grabbed the lead from Jesse Krasnitsky on lap two before becoming locked in a three-car fight with Schoffstall and Brennan.
The trio raced inches apart throughout the event. Schoffstall briefly edged ahead as the white flag waved, but Ney found enough momentum exiting the final corner to reclaim the lead at the finish line. Brennan crossed just behind the lead pair in third.
Johnson Airlifted Following Crash
A frightening accident occurred during the second Roadrunner heat race when Brian Johnson made heavy contact with the tire barrier in Turn 3.
Due to the severity of the impact, Johnson was airlifted to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville as a precaution.
According to track officials, Johnson suffered a concussion and bruising and remained hospitalized overnight for observation as of press time.
First Career Win for Harakel
New Ringold's Mason Harakel reached a milestone in the Rookie 602 Crate Sportsman division.
After steadily improving throughout the season, Harakel assumed the lead on a restart and maintained control to earn his first career victory. Devin Whitmoyer finished second, followed by Lucas Weil.
Ott Prevails in High-Paying Legends Feature
The DHM Excavating East Coast Legend Series closed out the evening with a lucrative 25-lap feature paying $1,500 to the winner.
Jeremy Ott of Carlisle and Tanner Jones traded the lead multiple times in an intense battle throughout the race. Ott regained the lead for good on lap 17, but Jones mounted one final challenge over the closing laps.
The pair raced side-by-side to the checkered flag, with Ott narrowly edging Jones for the victory.
Behind the lead duo, Colton Friese, Logan Jones, and Lincoln Kearchner engaged in a spirited battle for the remaining top-five positions throughout the event.
Feature Winners
- 602 Crate Sportsman: Ryan Graver
- Roadrunner Feature No. 1: Chuck Fayash
- Roadrunner Feature No. 2: Kris Ney
- Rookie 602 Sportsman: Mason Harakel (first career win)
- East Coast Legend Series: Jeremy Ott
Sportsman Feature Results (20 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Graver |
| 2 | Matt Martino |
| 3 | Kevin Fitzpatrick |
| 4 | Craig Whitmoyer |
| 5 | Ed Mrochko |
| 6 | Brennan Chapman |
| 7 | Aaron Weaver |
| 8 | Zach Steffey |
| 9 | Trevor Bixler |
| 10 | Dylan Swinehart |
| 11 | Dakota Kohler |
| 12 | Brandon Firestine |
| 13 | Tyler Vidal |
| 14 | John Deatrich Jr. |
| 15 | Shannon Slaughter |
| 16 | Jim O'Hara |
| 17 | Matt Ney |
| 18 | Tajae Adams |
| 19 | Reice Widger |
| 20 | Josh Mitman |
| 21 | Michael Samony |
| 22 | Nick Hamm |
Roadrunner Feature #1 Results (12 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chuck Fayash |
| 2 | Alex Schoffstall |
| 3 | Joey Brennan |
| 4 | Jarod Bassinisky |
| 5 | Kris Ney |
| 6 | TJ Fitzpatrick |
| 7 | Jesse Krasnitsky |
| 8 | Jim Kost |
| 9 | Andrew Buchinski |
| 10 | CJ Ferguson |
| 11 | Tod Roth Jr. |
| 12 | Joe Bassininsky |
| DNS | Brian Johnson |
| DQ | Jonathan Trumbo |
Roadrunner Feature #2 Results (12 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kris Ney |
| 2 | Alex Schoffstall |
| 3 | Joey Brennan |
| 4 | TJ Fitzpatrick |
| 5 | Andrew Buchinski |
| 6 | Joe Bassininski |
| 7 | Chuck Fayash |
| 8 | CJ Ferguson |
| 9 | Jesse Krasnitsky |
| 10 | Jim Kost |
| 11 | Tod Roth Jr. |
| DNS | Jared Basininsky |
Rookie 602 Sportsman Results (15 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mason Harakel |
| 2 | Devin Whitmoyer |
| 3 | Lucas Weil |
| 4 | Zach Moyer |
| 5 | Payton Renninger |
| 6 | Lorenzo LoPiccolo |
| 7 | Michael Eckhart |
| 8 | Daisy Dove |
East Coast Legend Series Results (25 Laps)
| Finish | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Ott |
| 2 | Tanner Jones |
| 3 | Colton Friese |
| 4 | Logan Jones |
| 5 | Lincoln Kearchner |
| 6 | Seth Kearchner |
| 7 | Bill Deihl |
| 8 | Zach Smith |
| 9 | Jeremy Hahn |
| 10 | Moses Goetz |
| 11 | Owen Wagaman |
| 12 | Jayden Powell |
| 13 | KJ Massey |
| 14 | Blake Nalley |
| 15 | Ben Marrow |
| 16 | Dave Benner |
| 17 | Darren Lucas |
| 18 | Justin Wagaman |
| 19 | Scott Montgomery |
| 20 | Devin Friese |
| 21 | Hunter McElroy |
| 22 | Shjon Dove |
| 23 | Rick Hartwig |
| 24 | Alex McCollum |